Abstract

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of online medical education.
MATERIALS & METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational study. After getting informed consent, a pretested semi-structured questionnaire on perception regarding online medical education was sent to each faculty via Google form.
RESULTS: 121 faculty members participated in the study. The mean age was 40.8 years with an SD of 8.95. Though 56.2% of faculty had more than 5 years of teaching experience,75.2% had no experience with online teaching before COVID-19. Classes can be taken at one's convenience, holidays and vacations can be used to complete courses and minor illness of a student will not be a factor for absence in class are the major perceived advantages among 90.9% of faculties. However, non-availability of high-speed internet at both ends, practical classes in online mode are not effective and lack of computer skills among teachers are major perceived barriers in 73.6%.